the Jal Shakti Ministry said that the Ghatal Master Plan project had been accorded investment clearance, but no funds have been provided by the central government.
Kolkata,UPDATED: Mar 20, 2023 23:36 IST
The West Bengal government’s ‘Ghatal Master Plan’ aims to bring major relief to the people living in the low lying areas of Ghatal. (File photo)
By Suryagni Roy: West Bengal’s mega flood management programme, Ghatal Master Plan, which aims to bring major relief to the people living in the low-lying areas of Ghatal and adjoining areas of Midnapore from flooding every year, has once again come to the forefront with issues related to funds disbursal from the central government.
On March 16, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP from Ghatal, Deepak Adhikari alias Dev, sought details from the Union minister of state for water resources about the current status of the Ghatal Master Plan and whether the government has sanctioned any funds for the project to the Jal Shakti minister. He had earlier asked the same in December 2022.
In its response, the Jal Shakti Ministry said that the project had been accorded investment clearance, but no funds have been provided by the central government.
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The TMC MP asked whether funds had been allotted for the Ghatal Master Plan (GMP). If so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons, therefore?
The Jal Shakti Ministry replied that the flood management project of West Bengal, namely, Phase -I works of the Ghatal Master Plan in Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur districts of West Bengal was considered by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under Ministry of Jal Shakti in 136th meeting held on June 6, 2018. It was accepted for its techno-economic viability at an estimated cost of Rs 1,238.95 crore.
It also stated in its response that, based on recommendations of the Investment Clearance Committee in its 17th meeting held on June 10, 2022, the project has been accorded investment clearance. However, no funds were provided by the central government for the project.
“No funds have been provided by the central government as the project has not been included for funding under any scheme of Ministry of Jal Shakti,” read the statement.
The Ghatal Master Plan entails dredging of riverbeds and strengthening of embankments of 10 major rivers of Midnapore, including Rupnarayan, Shilabati and Kansabati, which swell during the monsoon, thereby causing floods, as well as some canals in Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts.
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